If I had my life to live over, I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. ~Don Herold
Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. ~Glenn Turner
Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weights you down. ~Toni Morrison
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. ~Mark Twain
Per Wikipedia, anxiety is “a future-oriented mood state in which one is ready or prepared to attempt to cope with upcoming negative events.”
Recently, I’ve been mulling over my increasing anxiety about, well, life. The anxiety scale ranges from blissfully ignorant (1) to obsessive worrier (10) and I have named the midpoint MWE (my husband’s initials). It’s appropriate because he seems to have the right combination of worry and “let it be”. I’m constantly striving to be at the MWE point on this scale, but I’m failing on fairly regular basis. I hover around 8 or 9 which equates to “Cuckoo”.
Last Friday morning’s Therapy Breakfast meeting provided me with some food for thought on this topic (besides my standing order of french toast and bacon!). It was basically the nature vs nurture discussion which I always find fascinating. You know, birth order, environment, DNA, etc. This led to a discussion of “Why do some people repeat the perceived parenting mistakes of their own parents? ” And “Why do some people break the mold?” For example, if your mother was critical of everything you did and you hated it, why are you doing it to your own children? Or Why are you making a conscious effort not to be critical?
We came to the conclusion that it had to do with the ability to be introspective. Either you have it or you don’t. We all know the people in our lives that clearly do not possess this ability – it’s just not within their grasp.
Now, I’m not trying to brag, but I possess the ability of introspection – I can go on ad nauseum of why I am the way I am (just ask my breakfast buddies!). I can make my own head spin if I’m not careful! This skill has been honed over the years as I’ve tried to figure out why I have the freakish need to control everything, why I see the peril in every scenario, why had the pathological need to get straight A’s in school, why I was/am afraid of failure, etc. I’m especially interested now because my anxiety seems to be getting worse. Is it because I’m an adult now with three kids, a marriage, a mortgage, a dog, impending college expenses, and the fact that I see imminent danger peeking around every corner?
Well, my husband also exists in this same realm – how come the hubby doesn’t feel the same level of anxiety?
Some people in my life think I can just shut this off. “Why are you worried about it? You can’t change anything!” “Oh, really? I thought I could control everything. Well, shoot! You know what? I was getting really tired of feeling anxious all of the time so I’ll just stop the worrying right this very second! Thanks for the info!”
Is it wrong to envy people that go through life swimming around in the blissfully ignorant end of the pool? We all know a few of these people in our lives, don’t we? I can feel smug because they really don’t know what real life is like, but what does that get me? They seem really happy and mostly stress-free . . . . .Ugh! They can really get on my nerves!
Why am I swimming toward the deep end of the pool? Who really knows!? But it’s obviously a combination of multiple things – people are complicated!
Birth Order – I am the first born and, as I’ve said before, I think I possess every trait listed in any book about birth order. Compliant Traits – People Pleasers, Crave Approval, Nurturers, Caregivers, Reliable, Concientious, Cooperative, Team Players, “Grin and bear it” mentality / Aggressive Traits – Natural Leaders, Perfectionists, Driven, Conventional, Always have things under control, Want things their way.
Genetics – I come from a long line of professional worriers – my mother, my mother’s mother (I think they were all the first-borns, hmmmm). I could tell you stories to back this up, but they aren’t that exciting.
Environment – Our house growing up was very chaotic and unpredictable. This definitely intensified my need to try to control every facet of my surroundings.
Since I do recognize most of my shortcomings, I’m definitely working toward creating a stable, predictable, “normal” household for our three children. Of course, with High Anxiety Mommy, it can be a challenge! As I’m trying to “break the mold”, I’m sure I’m also creating some unintended environmental landmines for my kids to discuss in therapy when they get older. What are parents for anyway, right?!
Carpe Diem (but wear your seatbelt)!
If I had my life to live over, I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. ~Don Herold 
The Engledow Chronicles 
baby steps sis…just take one at a time…perhaps put Jack in charge of dinner!
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Ummm, you said baby steps. I think my first step may be letting the dishes go in the morning or not making my bed and trying not to obsess about how I didn’t do those things. Then, maybe letting Jack do dinner!
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I agree with you about introspection. Some people have it, some people don’t. I’m constantly amazed at the number of people I meet that seem to have absolutely no clue how they are perceived. I happen to think I’m fairly good at this. I’m familiar enough with my quirks and the way they are probably viewed by others most of the time. I’m not much for worrying about what others think or trying to be trendy or cool.
I also understand the anxiety thing. Sometimes it just can’t be turned off. My goal is to try to discern what is in my sphere of influence and what is not. The bulk of my actions and worry should stay within that sphere. Of course that is much easier said than done. 🙂
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I TRY really hard not to worry about things that are not in my sphere of influence, but it’s really difficult! Why is that? I drive myself crazy sometimes. At least most of the people in my life realize this about me 🙂
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